The light plum color originates from organic alkanet root, a plant that can deliver shades of pink, purple or blue. Alkanet root is common in lots of natural cosmetics, yet I haven’t seen this particular shade achieved in many of the natural lippies I’ve used.

As a fan of lippies in general, but especially of balms and glosses, I would repurchase Mullein & Sparrow’s Tinted Lip & Cheek Balm. The price is reasonable ($22) for the size you get (1 ounce), and the fact that it’s super multipurpose (lips, cheeks, moisture all around) makes it a nice buy.

I’m also a bit of a sucker for pretty packaging, and I just swoon over the aesthetic of the entire Mullein & Sparrow collection anyway.

There’s also something about this being in a tin that draws me in; a lot of sheer wash lippies that are in tubes mess with my mind — I somehow expect them to be deeper and more intense because they’re in bullet / tube form.

If it’s in a pot or tin, it just feels more like a lip balm or lip tint, and the idea that the color just isn’t supposed to be too intense fits better with my mind.

How’s that for some random consumer research, beauty brands?

What do you look for in tinted lip and cheek balms? Have you tried anything from Mullein & Sparrow? Tell me in the comments section!